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Sunday, November 16, 2014

Soulé Steam Feed Works

by Pam HillmanSometimes you live within a few miles of something that impacted your community-- or the world-- and don't even know the significance of it. You might not even know it exists! This happened to me this last year. I was introduced to the Soulé Steam Feed Works, which is about fifty miles from me in Meridian, MS.

Soulé focused on servicing the lumber industry from 1892 until the mid-1950s. And since I'm currently writing novellas set in the 1890s focused on the logging industry, I found the entire place fascinating. The founder of Soulé Steam Feed Works, George W. Soulé, patented more than 20 items during his lifetime. Some of Soulé's most notable products were rotary steam engines, lumber stackers, mechanical log turners, and a cotton seed huller. Soulé's steam engines are still in operation today, deep in the forests of India and Australia.

I signed books the Soulé Live Steam Festival on October 31-November 1, 2014 and enjoyed the experience tremendously. Approximately 2000 people tour the restored buildings and watch the steam engines belch out steam and enjoy reminiscing about the industrial revolution.

Given the nature of this event, many of the attendees are male. Late on the first day, one of the museum volunteers and a steam engine enthusiast who'd just arrived hurried into the area where we'd set up our book table next to the welcome desk. Both men looked like two kids on Christmas morning. The enthusiast had brought a steam whistle with him that was so large he hadn't been able to build up enough steam to blow it. They were making plans to connect it to a bigger steam engine so they could try it out.

I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked since I was signing books, but I hope to be back next year. In addition, there were so many people I would have loved to interview for HHHistory.

There are thousands of handcrafted mahogany patterns for large and small gears, balcony railings, andirons, etc. on display throughout the museum. This one was a manhole cover for the city of Meridian.

A nameplate for the lumber stacker manufactured in 1897.

Technology students from MCC demonstrate the antique equipment in the machine shop. The Soulé Steam Works Machine shop contains an operating 120' (that's FOOT) line shaft with original belt-driven equipment that dates from the turn of the 20th century.

Manual Underwood typewriter. One of the curators at the museum gave me a private tour a couple of months ago, and she said that Mr. Soulé kept everything, so a lot of the antiques are literally pieces that were used in the daily operations of the business. The vault even has copies of receipts and payroll records from the the 1890s and early 1900s.

The steam is chugging out and the wheel is in motion....

1928 Wurlitzer Caliola. Only about 300 of these were produced and this one is in working order. This one was on loan from the historic Temple Theatre, in Meridian, MS.

This building is across the brick-laden alley from the original office and machine shop where our book signing was held. It's a huge open building with rough timbered woodwork and is host to many receptions and weddings. The upstairs houses turn-of-the-century employee locker rooms. I failed to get pictures because I needed to get back to the book signing. Next year for sure!

Several steam engines doing their "stuff" at the entrance of the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum where the festival was held. The lattice truss frame sign was completed in 2013.

Fellow authors June Davidson (Country Stores of Mississippi) and Richelle Putnam (The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty) signing books. This picture shows the adorable set-up we had, plus the loom to the left. The print shop and the broom shop are directly behind them.

This is the brick-paved alley between two of the buildings that are part of the museum complex. The ambience between the buildings with the steam billowing out of the pipes was an interesting experience. The museum staff and volunteers have done an amazing job restoring the buildings and the steam engines.

10 comments:

Good morning, HHHistory! I hope you all have a wonderful day. It's raining here (and we need it...my Cowboy just sowed several acres of ryegrass). Since it's Sunday, I'll be away from my computer more than usual, but I'll drop in when I can, so feel free to leave comments. God bless and everyone stay safe and dry on this, the day that the Lord has made! :)

Hi Pam! Loved your post about the steam engines! I'm very familiar with the big steam belching engines. Every year, I attend an annual show (Midwest Old Threshers-5 days ending Labor Day) that celebrates the years of steam power. It's supposed to be the largest steam show in the world. I love it because it's like taking a step back in time. Your event sounds a lot like ours. Thanks for sharing! :)

Yeah, I'll keep my eyes open for the name Soule. People come from all over the U.S. for this, so it wouldn't surprise me if I'd find one made by that company. :) The event usually takes place around the last week of August or the first week of September, depending on how Labor Day falls.

Pam, I love your post. What a wonderful place and so full of history! My husband was an antique engine enthusiast. If he were still living, I'm sure I would have shared your interesting information, and we would have planned for a trip down there.

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